March 5, 2015

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) continues to be a leader in green infrastructure with an upcoming project dedicated toward using 100% of its biogas. 

Biogas is a by-product created when treating solids at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant. A new facility at the treatment plant will turn the biogas into reusable energy. 

After exploring options for the biogas, BES staff determined that converting the biogas into compressed natural gas vehicle fuel is the most economical and environmentally friendly.  It will reduce diesel fuel use and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. 

Once completed, the project will re-use nearly all of the 600 million cubic feet of biogas the treatment plant produces annually.  And, it’ll save money for sewer ratepayers! 

BES expects the new facility could be operational by 2017.

Learn more about the project on BES’ website.

Portland treatment plant moves towards 100% biogas utilization

News Release